1929 - 2025
On January 7, 2025, with family by his side, David (Dave) Mortley Smith peacefully passed away at the Red Deer Regional Hospital. Dave was born in Didsbury, Alberta to William and Marion (Molly) Smith on September 28, 1929.
Dave was a life-long resident and farmer in Mountain View County, near Didsbury, Alberta. His home since birth was Neapolis Farm. Here, he diligently farmed alongside his father in his teen years. One of Dave’s favourite memories as a young man was when he worked on a mobile threshing team, which included long days of hard work, and stolen pies from windowsills. Dave attended the Neapolis School until Grade 10 and the Olds College from 1947-49.
Dave met and married his cherished wife Ann (Downing-Waite) in 1962. Together they had two children, David and Colin, and were married for 55 years until Ann’s passing in 2017. Together Ann and Dave continued to run Neapolis Farm and started dairy farming as well.
To say Dave was active in the community is an understatement. Following in his mother and father’s footsteps, Dave was involved in multiple community organizations. In the 1970s, Dave was part of a small group that started weather modification in Mountain View County, which operated out of the Didsbury-Olds Regional Airport. Dave was also chairman and board member of the Mountain View County’s Subdivision and Development Appeal Board for 15 years. Dave also was a member of the Elks since 1980, a board member on the Didsbury District Historical Society and the Horizon School.
Dave, along with his wife Ann, was an avid collector of antique John Deere tractors. He travelled throughout Canada, buying tractors which he then lovingly restored. Dave collected and restored more than 40 tractors among many other things.
Along with his wife Ann, Dave was predeceased by his brother, Osmond. He leaves behind his sons, David (Luana) and Colin (Kelly). Grandchildren Alyssa (Darren), David, Lauren (Joseph), Zachary (Amy) and Cole (Rheanna). Great-grandchildren Milla, Tristen, Elowen, Reid, Mallory and Libby.
Dave’s family would like to send their heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Hamlets at Red Deer and the Red Deer Regional Hospital where the love and care they had for Dave was incredibly apparent.
A celebration of life for David will be held in the spring.
